Improvement in harrow



S. 8v A. WOODARD.

Harrow.

No. 106,908. Patented ug. 3G, E870.

STEPHEN WOODARD ANDALBERT WOODARD, OF SARATOGA, INDIANA.

Letters Patent No. 106,908, dated August 30, 1870.

IMPROVEMENT IN HARRO'W.

The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same To all whom it may concern Be it known that we, Srnenmv WooDARD and ALBERT WOQDARD, of Saratoga, in the countyof Randolph andv State of Indiana, have invented a new and-useful Improvement in Harrows; andwe do here- -and It consists in makingthe harrow self-adjusting, by means ot' which it will pass between stumps, rocks, and narrow spaces, and immediately assume its full `width and proper proportions, as will 'hereinafter vbe more fully described.

In the accompanying drawing- Figure l represents a top or plan view of a barrow constructed according to our invention.

-Fgure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section of g. 1, on the line x x. l

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

This harrow consists of two main side pieces A A, joined together at their forwardends by means of metallic plates, and a center bolt, as seen at O.

These side pieces A A are connected together by a jointed cross-piece, D D.

This piece is hinged at each end to the sides A A, as seen at E E, and jointed in the middle by means of metallic plates and 'central bolt, or hy a cent-ral toothfshank, as seenatlt.

G is a horizontal bar, which is connected with the -front center bolt andsupported in a box, H, which is swiveled to the shank ot' the joint-tooth -or bolt at F,

so that the box freely slides on the bar.

lThe har is also supported by the arm I, which is attached to the tooth or joint-bolt, as seen at J.

Its other end is curved upward, and has a mortise or hand, K, through which the bar passes.

This arm in this manueralso freely slides on the bar as the sidepieces A A are contracted or expanded in the process of harrowing and passing ob structions.

L is a spiral spring on the bar G.

M is a collar on the bar, against which the spring hears.

. The other end of the spring bears against the end. Y

of the arm I, or rather the band K of the arm.

N is' a,leose washer betweenv the band and the spring. O is a-spring'lever, whose fulcrum is at P on the stand q. This stand is adjustably attached to the bar G.

R is a spring, which is attached to the lever, and bears on andslides in a recess in the base of the stand, as seen at S. The forward end of this lever curves down to the top of the bar G, and the tendency ot' the spring R is to keep it Aiu contact therewith.

Vhen the barrow is expanded, as when in ordinary harrowing, the end T of the lever catches over the box H, which holds the jointed cross-pieces D D rigid and in position. The jointed piece D D, or the parts of which it is composed, stand at such an angle that any lateral pressureon the sidesof the barrow will throw the joint of this piece forward, and allow the side pieces of the harrow to contract or approach eachother. If the joint was not held in position by vthe lever, the tendency of the harrow would he to collapse, except in mellow ground, where there would not be side pressure suticient to effect the joint.

The stand q may be adjusted on the bar by means of the-holes u, so as to spread the barrow more or less, as may be desired.

In operating with the barrow, if the driver sees an obstruction on either side, or a narrow space through which the harrow would notA pass, he bears down with his foot on the lever 0, which releases the joint F, and allows the sides ot the harrow tocontract and conform to the width of the space. When the o'bstruction is passed, the reaction ofthe spiral spring throws the joint and sides backl to their former position.

For harrowing or cultivating the soil when rows of corn or other plants are growing, a bolt may be substituted for the joint-tooth at lj, and any other teeth may be removed and the harrow adjusted to suit the particular purpose or object in view.

By this mode of construction the harrow may be .used for various purposes, and on ground where the ordinary hal-row cannot be used at all.

A great advantage is, the barrow is always in the ground. In passing stumps or stonest is not lifted up, but the ground is harrowed all over.

Having thus described our invention,

We claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- 1. In combinationwith a barrow, the bar G, spiral spring L, sliding box H, arm I, and lever O, with the joints O, EE, and F, by means of which the harrow is made self-adj usting, substantially as and for the purposes described.

2. In combination with the hinged side bars A ora harrow, the bars D, a central bar, G, a spring, L, arm I, and lever O. substantially as shown and described.

STEPHEN WOODARD. ALBERT i/VOGDARD.l

Witnesses I. W. GINGER, V. M. BRAFFETT. 

